id Tom.
"We will be waiting, and trying to figure out what the next move shall
be."

His last words reminded Jack of the fact that they were now faced by
another knotty problem. If the door was locked and the key safe in the
possession of the gruff old general below, how then could they take the
child away?

He knew it would be utterly impossible to get her to the other window by
means of that ledge; for the task had been difficult enough when both
hands were free.

But evidently resourceful Tom had already conceived a plan for he was
busying himself with the cot from which Helene had so recently arisen
and now called to Jack.

Close by the child could be heard moving about, as her nimble little
fingers secured first one article of apparel and then another, spurred
on by the wild hope of once more seeing her dearly beloved sister.

Jack, pushing forward, found his chum had turned the cot over, and
seemed to be working swiftly at something.

"What have you found, Tom?" he asked.

"As luck would have it, Jack, this cot has a rope under the mattress in
place of the usual spring. And it seems to be a good stout rope in the
bargain, I'm glad to tell you."

"Now I get you, Tom! Good! We can slip down that way."

"If the rope turns out to be long enough. I can put Helene in your arms
and drop you down. Then I can follow. I'd rather go about it some other
way, but with this locked door we haven't any choice."

"Why, I think it a cracking good scheme," said Jack.

"Listen!" exclaimed Tom. "Doesn't it strike you that there's talking
going on outside now?"

"You're right," agreed the other, almost immediately. "I do believe
those Hun officers are making a move at last. Now there's going to be
some fun let loose when they find that both cars are shy on gas."

"That may be," muttered Tom. "But I wish they'd chosen to hang on for
just another half hour. I'd ask nothing better. Helene, how are you
getting on, child?"

"I am almost ready, m'sieu," came back in a childish voice that quite
thrilled Jack's heart. "I have only to slip my shoes on now and then I
shall be ready."

Jack followed his chum over to the window, for by this time the entire
rope had been secured from the cot. Tom tested its strength as well as
he was able, and found reason to believe it was stanch enough to bear a
double burden if necessary.

Loud talking now came from in front of the chateau. Evidently the
general had gone out to see his gues